But GRS and its coalition partner Pakatan Harapan (PH) have shot back by saying the East Malaysian state’s problems existed even when the opposition was in power.
“During Bung Moktar’s tenure as Public Works Minister, no major water stabilisation projects were initiated,” Armizan said.
Armizan cited how construction of the Tawau Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plant only began construction on Jul 22 this year after Bung Moktar had left office, and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Similarly, he said upgrading works on the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant in Papar, despite being planned earlier, only started in August 2023 under the new minister Shahelmey Yahya.
Shahelmey was one of the BN members who refused to support Bung Moktar during the Kinabalu Move.
Armizan added: “Both projects were already in planning. As Minister of Public Works, Bung should not point fingers at others for their failure. The reality is he was a failed minister because his successor was able to drive these projects forward.”
On electricity supply across the state, Armizan noted that several stabilisation initiatives, such as the Eastern Coast Southern Link Phase I Grid Network, were only implemented after Bung Moktar and BN left the state government.
Bung Moktar will defend his Lamag seat in a six-way fight that includes candidates from GRS and Warisan. Armizan is not contesting in the election.
While analysts acknowledge Lamag as a hot seat, they noted that Bung Moktar continues to enjoy strong grassroots support due to his long service and political presence in Kinabatangan.
“Although several local parties are ready to challenge BN, Bung Moktar still has a firm grip on Lamag because he is not just a politician but a bold figure who has served as Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan for six terms,” University Malaysia Sabah political analyst Romzi Ationg told Bernama.
SAVE SABAH FROM WHAT?
Separately, GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun on Wednesday questioned Warisan’s “Save Sabah” slogan, asking what exactly the state needed saving from.
In mid-2025, Warisan launched its “Selamatkan Sabah” (Save Sabah) campaign, pledging to fix the state’s water crisis and prioritise local development.
But Armizan told news website Free Malaysia Today that Sabah is faring much better now than under Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s previous administration from 2018 to 2020.
In 2020, then-Chief Minister Shafie called a snap election to nullify a coup attempt but was ultimately defeated by GRS, paving the way for the latter to form the state government with Hajiji at the helm.
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